VINTAGE LUNDIN LINKS AND LARGO
  • Blog

World War One Outbreak

30/8/2014

0 Comments

 
Given the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War has recently taken place, I wondered whether there was much evidence of the early impact of the war in the Lundin Links and Largo area.  So far I have unearthed only a few minor references to early signs that life was changing. The earliest comment on the locality that I found in the newspaper archives was the cancellation of a golf tournament (Evening Telegraph, 19 August 1914)....

"The announcement that the foursome championship has been indefinitely postponed will hardly create surprise among Scottish golfers....the duty of safeguarding the interests of Britain comes first, the playtime will come later.  Still there will be regret mingled with the patriotic feeling that the competition at Lundin Links will not likely be included among the golfing fixtures of 1914.  A number of linksmen had fixed their holidays to synchronise with the foursome carnival.  And many of these golfers have offered their services to the country in her hour of need.  The Lundin Club, it may be stated, has voted a contribution of 25 guineas to the Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund."

Fund-raising activity began as soon as war had been declared.  A 'National Relief Fund' was set up with Edward, Prince of Wales as treasurer, to help the families of men serving.  In a message in national newspapers, he said: " At such a moment we all stand by one another, and it is to the heart of the British people that I confidently make this earnest appeal." Within a week, donations to the fund had reached £1 million. The newspapers show that Lundin Links and Largo were included in lists of places which had contributed towards other causes such as 'Belgian Flag Day' and the Red Cross.  Belgian refugees were the subject of a very early flag day.  Charity work and volunteering would become a key feature of the war everywhere, and Lundin Links and Largo were no exception - more to come on that in future posts.

Another noticeable feature in the 1914 newspapers was the printing of lists of men who had been recruited to support the war.  The Courier of 7 September published one early list, which included a local man, preceded with the words:

"Lord Kitchener's appeal for recruits to his army is ringing throughout Britain.  The young manhood of this land have been aroused to a full sense of their responsibility.  The War Secretary's call touches the heart.  Scotsmen are rallying around Kitchener's banner....hurrying to drill at the depots.  The good wishes of all follow them.  But more are needed yet.  A further honour list is published below."

Among the many names then listed was: Frank Edwards, 10 Rossini Place, Lundin Links to Seaforths

No doubt everyone kept a close watch on the newspapers, some of which produced special 'war editions'.
Picture
The 1st Highland Cyclists Battalion had a company stationed at Lundin Links early on to perform coastal guard duty. They rented the Lundin Ladies Golf Clubhouse as a reading and recreation room.  The Ladies Club had, before the war, made plans to expand the course from 9 to 18 holes.  However, the additional land was now required for agriculture and, after war had ended, it was decided to remain a 9 hole course.  If you anything about life in the Largo area during the First World War, please get in touch - this is a topic that I will return to.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    About

    This blog is about the history of the villages of Lundin Links, Lower Largo and Upper Largo in Fife, Scotland. Comments and contributions from readers are very welcome!

    Search

    There is no in-built search facility on this site. To search for content, go to Google and type your search words followed by "lundin weebly".

    Contact

    Categories

    All
    Antiquities
    Beach
    Boarding Houses
    Business
    Churches
    Clubs And Societies
    Drummochy
    Facilities
    Farming
    Fishing
    Golf
    Houses
    Keil's Den
    Largo Law
    Lower Largo
    Masseney Braes
    New Gilston
    People
    Railway
    School
    Shops
    Standing Stanes
    Streets
    Tourism
    Upper Largo
    Viaduct
    War

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Links

    Largo Baywatch Blog
    Fife Family History Society
    ​
    Polish Parachute Brigade Info​

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.